Key findings
The 2025 Twin Cities Marathon Weekend generated economic activity for the state. The events:
- Totaled an estimated $47.9 million in economic contribution.
- Supported 250 jobs and $12.8 million in labor income.
- Generated an estimated $3 million in state and local tax collections.
Restaurants, running-related retail stores, and gasoline stations received the highest direct benefits from the weekend’s events.
- These are the primary places where participants and spectators spent their money.
- The industries that benefited the most via the indirect and induced effects included real estate, professional and technical services, and wholesale trade.
Visitors (those who live outside of the seven-county Twin Cities region) played an important role in creating economic activity.
- Nearly 55,000 visitors came to the Twin Cities to participate in marathon weekend events and activities. Of those, 80 percent were in the region primarily to run the events.
- Visitors come from across Greater Minnesota, the United States, and the world. Respondents to a survey of race participants reported coming from:
- Home zip codes in 33 states, plus the District of Columbia.
- Thirty seven of Minnesota’s 87 counties.
- Two foreign countries (Sweden and Canada).
- On average, visitors who participated in the events spent $202 per day while in the region for the weekend.
- Those in the Twin Cities -- to watch the race or encourage a runner -- spent an average of $141.70 per person.
- Visitors accounted for 53 percent of the total economic contribution.
The Twin Cities Marathon Weekend contributes to the positive perception of the region and Minnesota.
- Of all the survey respondents:
- 49 percent reported a more favorable perception of the Twin Cities region following their participation in the events.
- 48 percent reported their perceptions were “about the same.”
- Among visitors, the percentage was higher, with 52 percent reporting a more favorable impression.
- The friendliness of the Twin Cities, quality of event facilities, and outdoor recreation opportunities were leading reasons for the positive impressions of the region.
- Respondents from a participant survey reported visiting other locations in Minnesota. The most commonly visited places were a local restaurant or brewery, a local retail shop, and the Mall of America.
Increasing the number of event participants and spectators could increase the impact of the weekend.
- Twin Cities in Motion is exploring options to expand marathon weekend events and subsequently increase the number of participants and spectators.
- One goal is to increase the number of participants by 35 percent and the number of spectators to 400,000 (a 33 percent increase). Extension modeled this potential increase. If the number of marathon weekend participants were to increase to 29,740 starters and the number of spectators were to increase to 400,000
- The economic contribution of marathon weekend would increase to an estimated $61.3 million, a 28 percent increase.
- Employment would increase to 320 with labor income of $16.4 million.
About the report
Known by many runners as the “Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America,” the Twin Cities Marathon Weekend showcases the natural and physical attractiveness of both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The full marathon starts near U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis and ends with runners flowing onto the Capitol grounds in Saint Paul. During the race, marathon participants run along the shores of Minneapolis’ most iconic lakes, cross the Mississippi River, and view historic houses on Saint Paul’s Summit Avenue.
Through the years, additional events have been added to the weekend. In 2025, approximately 22,000 runners lined up to participate in one or more of the events, including the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, the Twin Cities 5K, the Twin Cities 10K, and the Medtronic Twin Cities 10 Mile. The events also drew an estimated 300,000 spectators along the routes.
When the runners, spectators, and volunteers flocked to Minneapolis and Saint Paul, they brought their spending power with them. They rented hotel rooms, purchased meals, visited the expo, and more. Twin Cities in Motion, the lead local organizer of the marathon weekend events, was interested in understanding the economic impact of the activities in the Twin Cities, so the organization collaborated with University of Minnesota Extension to conduct an economic contribution study.
Reviewed in 2026